WHILE THE DOOR IS OPEN
We’ve likely all been there, trying to get to that one store before the doors are locked, the sign is flipped, and our opportunity to get this or that has closed, having to be put off until the next day. I found myself in such a position not too long ago. The family and I were out of town, and needed to make a stop at the grocery store to get some water and snacks before heading back to the hotel. We pull into the parking lot around 10:45pm giving us 15 minutes to get the few items we needed. We walk in the doors and attempt to make our way to the section we needed when we were confronted by a couple of employees who said the registers were all shut down and no purchases could be made. Now I worked at a grocery store throughout high school, and there were nights I worked the closing shift, so I know what it’s like to have last minute customers running in to get formula for the baby, or some other necessity and then running out. I also know what it’s like to have customers walk in around closing time and shop like it’s the middle of the day. But to walk in with more than enough time to get our supplies and be told that we couldn’t make our purchase and had to leave was very disappointing. But there was nothing we could do and so we left empty handed.
7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep… 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:7, 9)
Christ is the good Shepherd and as the good Shepherd He provides the proper provisions and protection for any lost or wandering sheep that come to Him. In Matthew 6:31-33 we see the Lord inform His followers that there is no need to ask “What shall we eat?” Or “What shall we drink?” Or “What shall we wear?” And He proceeds to give them the reason why, because the heavenly Father, the Provider knows all that His flock needs and supplies such necessities to all who make Him and His kingdom the priority. Is Christ our priority?
Christ is the one door to enter salvation
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Here we read about the access (that is having the ability to gain entrance) to the grace God gives us through the doorway that is Christ. Such a door is open.
God opens to us doors of opportunity
9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:9)
12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, (2 Corinthians 2:12)
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— (Colossians 4:3)
The word door in all these verses is used to indicate an opportunity. And just as these doors opened to Paul were opportunities that he was to make the most of, so should we make the most of and any and all opportunities God has put before us.
Doors opened will eventually be doors permanently closed
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked…20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:17, 20)
These verses are speaking of the church in Laodicea that needed to repent. Verse 17 reveals to us a mindset they had that needed correcting before it was too late. Verse 20 records for us the image of Christ standing at the door knocking. It is up to us to open up and let Him in, or leave Him outside where He will continue to be patient and knock. Eventually the time will come where we are removed and cannot answer. Eventually the door (opportunity) to be part of the Lord’s flock will close as well, will we find ourselves among His sheep to be rewarded or among the lost sheep, with no protector, empty handed, and off to be slaughtered?